He "Continued Growing Up With Jehovah - Staying Pure in the Face of Corruption -Conclusion

 Matters reached such a point that Jehovah sent "a man of God," a man of God," an unnamed prophet, to Eli with a strong message of judgment.  Jehovah told Eli: "You keep honoring your sons more than me." God foretold that Eli's sons would die on the same day and that Eli's family would suffer greatly, even losing it privileged postion in the priestly class.  Did this powerful warning bring about a change in that family?  The record reveals no such change of heart. - 1 SAMUEL 2:27-3:1. 

How did all this corruption affect young Samuel?  From time to time in this dark account, we find bright rays of light, good news about Samuel's growth and progress. Recall that at 1 Samuel 2:18, we read that Samuel was faithfully  "ministering before Jehovah, as  a boy."  Even at the early age, Samuel centered his life on his service to God. In verse 21of the same chapter, we read  something  even more heartwarming:  "The boy Samuel continued growing up with jehovah."  As he grew, his bond with his heavenly Father got stronger.  Such a close personal relatonship with Jehovah is the surest protection against any form of corruption. 

It would have been easy for Samuel to reason thatif the high priest and his sons can give in to sin, he might as well do whatever he wished. But the corruption of others, including  those in positions of authority, is never an excuse to sin.  Today, many Christian youths follow Samuel's examole and keep growing up with Jehovah"-even when some around them fail to set a good example

How did suc a course work for Samuel?  We read: "All the while the boy Samuel was  growing bigger and more likable both from Jehovah's standpoint and from that of men."  (1 Samuel 2:26) So Samuel was well-liked, at least by those whose opinions mattered. Jehovah himself cherished this boy for his faithful course. And Samuel surely knew that his God would act against all the badness  going on in Shiloh, but perhaps he wondered when.  One night such questions met an answer.

Next time: He "Continued Growing Up With Jehovah - "Speak, for Your Servant Is Listening'

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